How to Wake Up Earlier

How to Wake Up Earlier

Waking up early is one of, in my opinion, the best things to do for time management and for mental clarity during the day. Normally I try to wake up and do a little light yoga, drink some coffee, and enjoy the early morning before I have to rush off to class and work. Maybe once or twice a week I will wake up extra early to go to the gym with a friend.

While I am no health professional, I would highly suggest trying to wake up earlier if you have mental health stuff going on in your life, if you feel like you never have enough time during the day, and if you want to just feel more productive and on your game. ‘Early’ is relative, I wake up around 6-6:45 most mornings depending on if I am going to the gym that morning (I usually sleep in a little bit on Sundays). Your early may be closer to 5 a.m or 8 a.m, it really depends on what your goal is.

Here are my tips for getting your butt out of bed earlier in the mornings!

1. Set your phone across the room and flip the light on immediately

This was probably the most helpful tip for me to start trying to get up early. You have to set your phone across the room with your alarm set so that you are forced to get out of bed in the morning to turn it off. But, for me, I would just turn it off and stumble right back to bed. So, I started doing this thing where, right when I turn off my alarm I flip on my overhead light and open my bedroom door. It makes it a little bit easier to stay out of the warm covers. However, there have been moments where I have still fallen back asleep so don’t worry if it takes a couple tries to get it.

2. Splash your face with cold water

The next thing I like to do is walk to the bathroom and splash my face with cold water. It’s a bit of a shock to your system but it definitely helps open the eyes a little more. Without doing this in the mornings, I usually feel pretty groggy for a while

3. Plan a breakfast you are excited to eat

Either plan a breakfast or make a breakfast the night before that you are stoked to eat. Sometimes I make pancake batter the night before so that in the morning I have delicious, homemade pancakes that I only have to throw in a pan. I also will make individual “smoothie packs” at the beginning of the week so that I only have to throw one in a blender with almond milk and voila, a quick and delicious smoothie!

4. Step outside right away

This will not only help you wake up from changing the temperature of your environment, but it will help make your morning a happy one as well. Literally walk down stairs right when you wake up and step outside for a brief moment to let the air hit your face, hopefully it’s not too col!

5. Do something you enjoy right when you wake up

This will hopefully be motivation to get up and stay up in the mornings when you are trying to get up earlier. Whether it’s reading a book, sipping tea, or going on a jog, have something to look forward to each day. For me, I like to do a little yoga or take extra time with making/eating breakfast. Sometimes, the best thing ever is to make a hot cup of coffee or tea and just take that extra little bit of time to watch my favorite show in peace while the house is quiet in the mornings. It actually is the best thing ever, but maybe not the most productive lol.